The Brethren / A Painted House

by John Grisham

THE BRETHREN: The perfect scam: the wrong victim. — Trumble is a minimum security federal prison, home to drug dealers, bank robbers, swindlers, embezzlers, tax evaders, and three former judges who call themselves The Brethren. They meet each day in the law library where they spend hours writing letters. They are finetuning a mail scam, and it's starting to really work. The money is pouring in.

Then their little scam goes awry. It ensnares the wrong victim, a powerful man on the outside, a man with dangerous friends, and The Brethren's days of quietly marking time are over.



A PAINTED HOUSE: The land is as unforgiving as its people.

September 1952. The cotton is almost ready in the fields of Arkansas. The harvest will soon begin. Luke Chandler is a seven-year-old who lives with his family in a small, unpainted house on rented land. In the next six weeks, the Chandlers and a hired band of hill people and Mexicans must bring in the cotton that is their livelihood and the guarantee of their survival on the land.

Soon heat, rain, fatigue, a killing and the unraveling of a family secret threaten to destroy the Chandlers' hopes and will transport Luke abruptly from childhood innocence to experience.

(from paperbackswap.com)

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Legal, Legal Thriller, Thriller

465 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

John Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.

Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.

When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.

John lives on a farm in central Virginia.

Reviews

[Aurimas Nausėda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dvi knygos. Pirmoje knygoje rašoma apie politines intrigas, kuriamas politinio ir teisinio trilerio siužetas. Antroje knygoje - rašoma apie Arkanzaso kaimo berniuko, renkančio laukuose medvilnę su tėvais, seneliais dienas, lauko darbininkų intrigas. Pirmoje knygoje daug nuotykių, o antroje daugiau dėmesio skirta psichologizmui, vaiko būsenos stebėjimui ir kaimiečių uždarumo, intrigų atskleidimui.

[Serge Elia · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this is by far the best John Grisham novel of all time: it's hilarious, it's intelligent, it's thought-provoking, it has memorable characters and story-lines, it has everything!! I highly recommend it!!!

[Palash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painted house was just amazing. Feeling the beautiful description of the country-side made me feel a lot better. It felt as if I had been transcended into some other world, much greener. Great one!!

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually only read 'A Painted House', but this book was not listed alone. I have never read any of Grisham's other books, but I have been told that they are mostly lawyer/political books. This book reminded slightly of 'Grapes of Wrath' and it was an interesting look into rural Arkansas mid 20th century and their struggle to live life as cotton farmers.

There are no edge of your seat cliff hangers or sudden story line changes, but it was an interesting look into multiple generations and their views of the same life matters with enough drama to keep you turning the page.

[Stu McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

many will argue with me but A Painted House, in my opinion, is the best book Grisham has ever written. Not his best fiction not his best tale but definitely his best written narrative. Read this book on a warm summers afternoon while sitting in the shade of your house or laying on your hammock. Let it carry you away to another place and another time. Thoroughly enjoyable

[Dennis Ganahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is one of Grisham's best books. It's completely different from his lawyer books. Great character development. Maybe it's because I'm a Cardinals fan too.

[Angelica Rovinski · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wasn't interesting. Took me forever to read. Seemed like it has no purpose.

[Supriya Kadam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had started this novel, thinking its a suspense thriller, there was absolutely no thrill in it…
but what I must say Grisham is a very good story teller.
It took me to the times of 1950’s, the country side life in cotton farms, the gran & the pappy reminded me of the warmth that you feel living with your grandparents..
Throughout the novel, the innocence of a kid, the strictness of his Pappy, the warmth of mother and gran, made me picturize a South Indian family in my mind.
After I finished the read, I was happy to know the Arkansas culture, visualize the cotton farms and the struggles that come with it. Overall, I would recommend this books for kids or someone who want to read a family drama, but if you are really looking for a storyline that goes around the murder & mysteries, then this book won't be a good choice.

[David Seymour · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read “A Painted House” as a stand alone book. This was a very different Grisham to the legal themes of most novels. I enjoyed the 1952 narrative through 7 year old Luke. It portrays a hard but enjoyable life for him in a cotton growing community in Arkansas. There were all the old fashioned Christian values with a strict but close family that just about survives the picking campaign until they decide on a better and financially safer life. This insight gave me some inspiration for a 2024 Deep South road trip that’s going past their door.

[Denise Ursuy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. This is my first John Grisham book I ever read. I know this book is way different then the genre Grisham writes but to know that this book was connected to his childhood was interesting. I’m happy our BookClub selected this book

[Budakraja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Thanks

[Kristin]

I read The painted house, but remember nothing.

[Reida · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read the Painted House

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read A painted house. It was excellent

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started good but stalled in the middle and the end was all rushed together.

[Stef Beauchene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I didn’t care for the Brethren and only made it through a few chapters. A Painted House was wonderful!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always like a good Grisham book.

[Jennifer Nix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love John Grisham!! I wanted to read this book as I am from Arkansas. Loved the book it was a great story. Truly held a deep empathy for the characters

[Rebekah Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy read..good storyline

[Valerie J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tough book but glad I read it.

[Red Confidential · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

[Johnny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I didn't read The Brethren in the combined version pictured here, I did read it on the basis of a mistaken impression. The title resonated with me because of Bob Woodward's effort on the U.S. Supreme Court and, knowing Grisham's legal background, I anticipated a novel involving the Supreme Court. Picking up the book and reading the flyleaf, I realized that this was something quite different. In fact, I liked the idea of a "court" within a minimum security prison, consisting of disgraced judges.

The idea was fresh. It seemed better than I could possibly have expected. Then, it suddenly went stale. I liked the character of Teddy Maynard, the CIA chief who also appears in The Broker. He was vivid, credible, ruthless, and cynical enough to be a fascinating CIA director. But I wasn't too keen on the CIA involving itself in electoral politics. I'm not naive enough to suggest that it couldn't or doesn't happen; I'm just idealistic enough to hope it doesn't.

My problem began with the character of Aaron Lake. As soon as I read about his spotless character, I knew (or thought I knew) what was coming. To his credit, Grisham surprised me. We cannot dismiss The Brethren as another of his morality plays (some of his novels like The King of Torts and The Rainmaker seem to serve that purpose). There is a cynical hardness to the plot as it unfolds. My biblical corollary would be Romans 3:23's observation that "all have sinned." Certainly, no one in The Brethren would be capable of throwing the first stone (as in Jesus' admonition to the mob who had caught a woman in the act of committing adultery and let the man go free--but, of course, none of us are innocent enough to throw that first stone).

I hope these observations have not spoiled the plot for anyone who hasn't yet read this novel. It is a thriller, a page-turner, if you don't get too far ahead of Grisham. Unfortunately, the foreshadowing in this one might as well have been lit by WWII era spotlights.

At least, however, I can say that I haven't been so disappointed with a Grisham novel as to be sorry I read it. There are, to date, no 1-star ratings in my collection of his works. But this one was so predictable in so many ways that it saddened me. It was as if Caraveggio was drawing caricatures at Knott's Berry Farm. It wasn't the level we expect from this prolific and interesting writer.

[Robert Cubitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've split this review into two parts, starting with A Painted House.

The story is told through the eyes of a 7 year old boy, Luke, living on a cotton farm in Arkansas in the 1950s. It's harvest time and the family has to hire hill people (hillbillies) and Mexicans to get the cotton picked before Autumn arrives. The two groups don't mix well and trouble ensues. Luke learns that adults have worries that they don't share with a child and they also have secrets. Through circumstances involving the Mexicans and the Spruills (the hill people) he also becomes the custodian of too many secrets of his own and these cause him a considerable amount of turmoil. There is also a sub plot involving the neighbouring family, the Latchers, who are dirt poor sharecroppers.

The book is well written and it gets over the hand-to-mouth existance of many farmers during this era, and Luke's family are by no means the poorest. There is a strong sense of both family and community created by common Christian values which Luke sometimes has to struggle with when he compares the doctrine with the world he is learning about. However, this isn't a book about Christianity, it's a story about a family and a snapshot in time.

Up to now I've not been a Grisham fan but I enjoyed this book and am enouraged to try more of his novels.

The Bretheren is entirely different and I'm not sure I enjoyed it as much. While the plot was basically OK it didn't have enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued and the involvement of the CIA, who seem to be able to fix anything as far as the story is concerned, meant there was a lack of tension.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but the plot can be boiled down to a few words. The CIA set out to get their preferred candidate, a serving Congressman y the name of Aaron Lake, elected as President. Meanwhile three former judges (The eponymous Bretheren), now serving time in a low security Federal prison for a variety of offences, engage in a scam to extort money from closet homosexuals. I will be giving away nothing by saying that the scam enventually ensares Aaron Lake.

With money no object for the CIA the outcome is signalled well in advance, which is the cause of lack of tension in the story.

The book might well be described as "workmanlike" but not as one of Grisham's best.

[Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Brethren" is there anything like real justice? Interesting to see how it is used and abused by individuals who feel it is their right and duty, if nothing else to get as much billable hours as traffic will allow. The long arm of the law all depends on who it belongs to as to just how much one can get away with, the higher up the money tree the harder it is to knock it down. Moves along at a pace that makes you wonder just how much out there is fact and not someone's edited view of things. Fun and interesting when its the judges who get caught in the end.

"A Painted House" struggles of a 7 year old in a grown up world of cotton fields and the 50's. When they say dirt poor, like Luke, I didn't think we were, just always a a cash flow problem. From the outhouse, no TV, Saturdays in town at the movie theater, the big copper canning tub we used for our baths in the middle of the kitchen floor, big garden, church and fried chicken every Sunday. Summers at that age seem to last forever, its hot, dusty and there is so much that has to be done, a whole new world of experiences, how do you justify something that you see when you know if you tell it could possible be your life or even your Mom's. Does growing up mean being able to keep a secret?

[Virginia · Rating 1 out of 5]

A fan of books such as 'In Cold Blood', I really hoped that I'd enjoy this novel. It had all of the elements of a great book: seemingly good plotline (from the back cover synopsis), lovable and endearing characters, and an isolated farmland setting, as well as John Grisham's name on the front of the book (larger than the title in this case- he obviously wanted to conceal all traces of this horrendous books' existence using his overly large name). The book starts off... alright, then gets a little better as the story progresses and you begin to get to know the characters a little better, and by the end, even, it stays... OK. But then, ladies and gentlemen, we reach the climax of the novel; the ending. Wait for it, no, wait for it... Um. Where was the climax, Grisham? As far as I can see, there was none. Did you get side-tracked with another of your money-making 'titles' or did you really not like this book as much as I obviously did? (Hint of sarcasm there, see?).
The plot was forgotten; all the drama that he had trying to be drumming up all through the book just dropped in place of a big 'the end'. Not good enough, dude.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by John Grisham. This story was about a 7 year old boy named Luke who lived with his parents and grand parents on a cotton farm. He told a story about how tough it was to be a farmer and even tougher during the 1950's. They lived in a small town in Arkansas where he described the towns people, the town and their surrounding land. Their farm was larger than what they could handle so they had to hire travelers from other parts of the world.

Luke learns the different ways of the travelers whom are visiting his farm for the harvest. Which for a 7 year old is alot. This story is uplifting and family oriented. There is a suspense as to what will happen next on the farm.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely great read. I would argue with any who choose to denounce this book. It was a slower pace than other Grisham novels, yet the intensity was so carefully built that it reached a much higher crescendo than most others of his writings. Wonderful escape. Villains whose memory nearly makes me prejudiced when I see someone who fits the description. Would have liked a different ending on the part of the adult who wanted to keep the secret. (Only reason for lacking a star.) Otherwise, gripping story.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't read The Brethren, but I did read A Painted House. I definatly wasn't expecting the story that I read. It's completely different from any John Grisham book I've ever read. It has nothing to do with lawyers and such. On the whole it was a good book, but diffinitly slower and not as intense, which I actually like in a book. It was a good book, but not a book that I could read over and over.

[Janschie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more Grisham writes, the less spectacular his stories. In this book, my copy is called just The Painted House, there is a lot of insight into life in last mid century. Groups of families are involved in the cotton picking business - including the proprietor Arkansas one, a "Hill" family and a Mexican one. There is some action, but this novel is about the relationships, some well fleshed out, others stereotypical. A worthwhile book.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only reading A Painted House - I probably would give this a 3.5 in the rating. Some parts were slow but Grisham always spins a good story, as he did with A Painted House. I really liked the main character, who was a 7 year old, but in the story he seemed much older than 7 so I think Grisham should have at least made him to be a 10 year old. This was just a good, wholesome story.